NEW Horizons...

Look what just turned up

2012-01-21T08:43:00.002Z

Just a couple of days after I made the commitment and sent off my application to CYM for the Engage: Youth Ministry Training Course...onto my doormat dropped the course notes and folder (well I say dropped - it was actually handed over at the door by the postman as it was to big for the letterbox). In addition, having shared my plans with our wider leadership team at church I was pleased too receive their full support and prayers - they've even proposed that the church support me financially by paying the full cost. Not something I was expecting them to do.

Next up is the job of sweet talking someone into being my 'line manager' for the duration of the course as well as establishing a pastoral support network. Then it will be time to start the pre-reading and gear up for the course. Amen!

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This really is a new horizon!

2012-01-17T17:09:00.004Z

I felt 3 years was probably long enough and it was time to return to my personal blog with some exciting, and possibly scary news. Today I posted off my application to the Centre for Youth Ministry to join their Engage: Youth Ministry course starting in March.

Designed for part time youthworkers and youth leaders the course is delivered through 6 training days with additional learning guided through online study, guided reading and practice based learning. Successful completition leads to a nationally recognised qualification and JNC endorsement. Essentially it's a stepping stone to something a bit bigger!
This whole decision came out of a real challenge whilst at the Youthwork conference in Eastbourne in November to examine my commitment and role in youthwork and prompted me to look into some kind of formal qualification. At the moment I'm just testing the water and seeing whether me and youthwork are a good fit. After that, who knows.

Recent Musings

2009-01-14T08:56:00.004Z

10 months ago I posted my final report on my trek across the Rift Valley. Have I not done a thing since!

It's not an excuse but I've been busy.

You don't need to know about all the boring worky stuff but the most important thing is what's happening now right?

Well just as a prelude following on from Africa I took part in the ActionAid Midsummer Challenge in the Lake District last June (picture below) and now...I need another one.

My thoughts are turning to this years event which takes place (naturally enough) on Midsummer weekend in Snowdonia.

In the next week or so I will commit and sign up...I think. In the meantime, if you'd like to join me - click here!

Midsummer Challenge

Day 9 - Time for Home!

2008-03-06T12:04:00.004Z

Monday 15th October
Despite the luxurious comfort afforded us, it was a disturbed nights sleep and an early rise of 6:30am at which point I decided to enjoy the final sunrise of my African adventure. I wandered through the complex which looked even more fabulous in the light I chanced upon the serene pool and inspired changed for a dip – very welcome, followed by coffee on the terrace. A breakfast of sausages and fruit followed then a lazy morning was spent around the retreat having bid farewell to several more travellers – continuing their trip on to the Serengeti and a few days of game viewing.
Eventually the time came for us to begin the long journey home. We stopped on the outskirts of Arusha town for lunch at a market where yet more purchases were made before making our way to the haven of the Jambo coffee shop in the city centre. After a quick drink and some fun with the hawkers, we set off for the airport at Kilimanjaro, with views of the mountain appearing more above the clouds on our approach.

Mt Kilimanjaro

We checked in and awaited our departure (delayed) before finally boarding and setting off for Nairobi followed by our onward overnight flight to London. Our trip was coming to an end and as we said our farewells at Heathrow we made plans for our reunion in the not to distant future.

Thankyou again for your support
Andrew Heinrich
November 2007

Journal Day 8 - The Penultimate Day

2008-03-05T16:37:00.001Z

Sunday 14th October
A slightly later start was tempered by the need to pack our bags and prepare for our drive to the Ngorongoro Crater and our reward of a days game viewing in one of the wonders of the world.
Several people took the opportunity to lighten their load by donating all manner of equipment (poles/ rucksacks/ mosquito nets/ first aid kits/ rehydration salts/ karri-mats) to our crew, I myself offering my spare trek t-shirt and my battered Sigg water bottle. After breakfast we said our final goodbyes and set off in our comfortable 4x4 jeeps on the 3-hour journey to the crater gate.
We stopped on the way in the town of Kerata for fuel and supplies and I took the opportunity to purchase a healthy bunch of red bananas (25 in all) for the princely sum of $5. These I distributed about the group much to everyone’s appreciation.
We continued on our way stopping briefly at the viewpoint above Lake Manyara before proceeding to the entrance to the crater where we picked up our permits and made our way into the park. Our progress was checked rather severely due to the rather poorly timed roadworks that were taking place reducing the only entry route to the crater rim to a single carriageway. On top of this was the seeming reluctance of anyone to aid the passing of a large work truck which resulted in a massive tailback and a standoff between sullen workers and irate tour guides. Eventually Zyggy took matters into his own hands and began showing the workmen exactly what they should be doing (much to their amusement) and the congestion was cleared allowing us to continue to the descent road some 10km further on. One final stop to have our papers checked brought an influx of Maasai hawkers to the vehicle – male and very persistent, but eventually we set off and began the drive down into the crater.
We spent several hours driving around the ‘natural amphitheatre’ spying the usual plains animals we had seen all trip (with the exception of giraffe – no food) and with the added bonus of buffalo, hyena, flamingo, warthog, hippos, elephant, ostrich and a lion with her 2 cubs feeding on a zebra kill. We also spied the backside of a rhino…apparently and were attacked by monkeys at the picnic stop who attempted all manner of tricks to get hold of our sandwiches including jumping onto the front seat of the 4x4 and opening Cheryl’s lunchbox. As the heavens opened we began our route back out of the crater stopping briefly where we seemingly got a little too close to an oncoming elephant for our drivers liking and had to hurry at some speed to our vehicle.

Maasailodge.com!

Our journey back to our accommodation for the night was broken by a shopping stop before darkness descended and we eventually rolled up at what turned out to be the most wonderful of Maasai lodges – a real luxury resort in the middle of the African plain.
We learnt later that the complex (approximately 26 individual huts set into the hillside with restaurant, bar and swimming pool) was the vision of a Texan who, along with a local from Arusha had invested in the local village and employed the majority of the staff from the area to provide a splendid retreat and a perfect final nights rest for the weary travellers. The first shower and shave for 5 days (for me at least) was greeted with overwhelming joy and a 4 course meal of soup, salad, meat and dessert with a splendid bottle of wine was equally welcome. As we sat by the pool finishing our drinks we reflected on our journey, before all turning in to some of the most comfortable of beds ever known.

Trek Report - Day 7 (nearly done!)

2008-03-04T12:42:00.002Z

Saturday 13th October
Our final early rise for our last days trekking and a cloudy chill greeted us as we prepared our day sacks and consumed our breakfast of sausages and cereal. We left on time and proceeded through the village of Gelai where we were greeted by many of the locals up early getting ready for the market. We stopped on the outskirts of the village and took our group photo overlooking the plains below and our days walk laid out behind us. Our progress was good, the kilometres being eaten up before the heat of the day had a chance to set it. We followed hourly stops for water and rest as we passed antelope and giraffe looking for what shade there was in the vast exposed lava plains. The imposing and smouldering Mt Lengai grew closer in our periphery as we began the final climb of our trek towards the Sunken crater. We lunched under shade and were immediately surrounded by Maasai women and children seemingly appearing out of the dust, we provided them with any leftover food we could muster and set on our way for the (apparently) final 4km of our trek.
In effect we had less than 2km to walk and as one by one we arrived at the rim of the crater we were each greeted by an applauding support team and a magnificent view over the crater itself.

Finished! – At the edge of the sunken crater

The final climbs had taken their toll on some – Mike in particular feeling the strain but managing to run across the finishing line after encouragement from all of those around him. Our intrepid ActionAid rep Katherine also suffered with blisters and the like but was able to cover the final 100m on foot after needing the use of the support vehicle – much to her disgust.
And so, we were finished. After all the preparation and training we had mearly a few moments of congratulations at the crater before we boarded our vehicles and set off for our final camp at the village of Engaruka. As we came closer to the village we could see the evidence of the difference water makes in regions such as this. Lush green plantations of bananas and mangoes greeted us and the size of the village itself took us all by surprise. We drove into camp and straight into a welcome (if slightly warm) bottle of beer and sat around reflecting on our own personal achievements while watching vervet monkeys and kingfishers playing in the branches above.
Eventually people found the will and energy to attempt some form of washing and dressing for our final camp dinner and subsequent cabaret. Food was followed by the presentation of awards by Cheryl our expedition leader (I myself taking the prize for best overall trekker/camper – by virtue of the fact I enjoyed the camping and apparently knew what I was doing). We then paid a final thanks to our generous and wonderful crew of guides/doctor/drivers/maintenance/cooks etc and settled around the fire for the evening’s entertainment. This mainly consisted of a number of songs and poetry from a small number of the group, I put in an appearance with the RSC (Reduced Safari Company) and a performance of the weeks experiences in a little over 3 minutes, in the dark.
The group gradually drifted to bed leaving the usual suspects to discuss the matters of the day over the final drinks (the bar having run dry) before turning in ourselves.

Found...Trek Report...!

2008-02-29T16:30:00.003Z

Friday 12th October
Strange noises in the night kept most of the camp awake throughout. An early morning call at 5:30am identified the source of the disturbances as zebra marauding past the camp or the procession of the campers with dodgy stomachs backwards and forwards to the facilities…or both. Our morning ablutions were viewed over by a small group of giraffe on the outskirts of the camp. Porridge for breakfast soon prepared everyone for the days trekking ahead and a prompt pack away meant we were ready to leave by 7:15am. We made excellent progress in the cool air of the early morning and spied a number of animals on our way including more giraffe, Grant’s gazelle and a multitude of birds. We made regular water stops to ensure there was no repeat of the dehydration problems of the first day and by the time we reached the welcome shade of lunch we had covered 17km and only had 1 or 2 more to go before our vehicle pickup to the next night’s camp.
A wonderful lunch of fresh pasta salads and bread was swiftly consumed and after some altercations from a passing hunter in a 4x4 regarding permits we were on our way again for the final stretch. As we reached the non-descript mark at which we were to join the support vehicles and continue on wheels three of us requested to continue further on foot. After a short discussion it was agreed this would be acceptable and so myself, Amanda and Karen along with Armani our local guide and Philemon our Maasai trekked on whilst the vehicles left us and set off for camp. We covered a good 5km in the space of a further hours walking spotting many more gazelle and buzzards before deciding to jump on the 1 remaining support vehicle and drive the final 12km. We had only gone a short distance when we caught up with the rest of the group who were waiting by the side of the road after word had reached them that camp was not quite ready.
Eventually we were on our way and our disappointment at not being able to walk the complete distance to camp (some 40kms in
the day) was turned to relief as we began a steady but significant climb to our camp high in the hills above the village of Gelai and near the sacred Maasai mountain Ol Doinyo Lengai, an active volcano which had in recent months started spewing ash and smoke again.

Whilst the majority of us soothed our feet in warm water and drunk cold beer we were entertained before dinner by somewhat reluctant Maasai dancers from the local village who put on a half-show of sorts. After dinner we again made use of the camp fire before turning in for a good nights rest before our final day of trekking tomorrow.

Back in Training!

2008-02-04T15:31:00.000Z

Firstly, an apology

There I was adding daily extracts from my trek diary to my blog when I managed to mislay (and now seemingly permanently lose) my flash drive containing the only source document I had of the report. Therefore I have so far been unable to update further...I'm working on it.

Secondly, some good news

I'm off again!

Having returned to the UK after completing my first Charity Event - The Footsteps of the Maasai Trek across the Great Rift Valley in Tanzania supporting ActionAid, I am now gearing up for my next event - The Midsummer Challenge in the Lake District in June.

To find out out more about the event and to sponsor me please click on the sponsorship link to the right.

More information on fundraising events will follow in due course, along with (hopefully) more from the diary.

Regards
Andrew

Journal Diary - Day 5

2007-12-03T12:17:00.000Z

Thursday 11th October
A late start this morning as we had a circular walk in store up through the village and onto Kitumbeine mountain. After preparing ourselves and our packs and taking extra care to ensure we had enough water and provisions (no support vehicles to follow us), we set off with a few sore feet and without 2 of our party (both suffering illness). We passed through the village greeting the herdsmen taking out their cattle and goats for pasturing and waved enthusiastically at the children at the local nursery school.
Trekking in the vast plains

After about 1km it became apparent that my diligent preparations had failed and I had neglected to pack my camera for the trip, instead I made do with admiring the view and watching for wildlife – the first of which I did not spot. A sand snake was apparently spied on the side of the road but despite some desperate peering it remained elusive to mine and many others’ eyes. As we climbed more steeply before reaching plateau it became apparent that our circular work was more of a walk up a hill and down again (albeit a distance of some 10km in rising temperatures). We reached a clearing where being at the front I was first to spot a giraffe grazing nearby that posed dutifully before clearing off. It was here that we turned round and began our descent back to camp for lunch. We reached our temporary village to find our weary travellers feeling much recovered and enjoyed a meal of spaghetti Bolognese – a meal that proved one effort too much for Mike – he collapsing asleep at the table and slumbering all afternoon.
After a brief rest we set off for (another) school in the village that has been well established. This was not an ActionAid project but had received funding over several years meaning that the facilities provided and resources available were superior to those we had visited in Kenya. Many people felt depressed and upset at the sight of dormitories where children slept 8 to a 2-bed bunk – some even comparing it to a concentration camp.

To my mind, the accommodation was clean, it was enclosed and the school was clearly better off than others. The children too were different – more used to seeing white tourists (as the visitors book testified) and cheeky with it.
They were still marvellously entertaining though, particularly when Brian conducted a group of them to sing “Row, row your boat” with little prompting. As well as the dormitories the school had well stock classrooms, kitchen and dining hall, staff house, gardens and playing fields.
After eventually tearing ourselves away from the children we waved goodbye and returned the 2.5km to the camp, a few of us detouring on the way for a quick visit to the village centre itself where we bumped into the headmaster of the school we had just visited, back home and building a new house!
Dinner was pumpkin soup followed by beef stew with rice after which we discussed the events of the day around the camp fire before turning in for the night.

Diary - Day 4

2007-11-23T15:19:00.000Z

Wednesday 10th October
Up early, left late. The first night of bush camping was mixed for all with some apparently hardly sleeping at all. Myself and John had been treated to a further hour of guitar by Rogarty before turning in and we were all a little tired but ready to get trekking. After a breakfast of porridge and sausages (not together), we set off in the buses to drive half of the 50kms to Kitumbeine. Having stopped at our first sighting of giraffe we eventually stopped and began our trekking on sand and dust tracks. The journey was gentle and uneventful until we chance upon a herd of 8 or 10 giraffe that we watched for a considerable time. We then continued before reaching our lunch stop where we enjoyed freshly prepared salad and fruit. The morning walking had been tame so far but as the heat intensified the group became strung out along the path and stragglers were picked off. Two required the assistance of support buses but the rest were able to continue with brief but regular stops as we crossed the Rift valley floor where we were met with a short burst of rain that provided relief for some but gave increased humidity for the final 2km through the village and on to the campsite where we were greeted with a cold drink and flannel to sooth any aches and pains. There was a mixture of joy and relief and reaching our destination some 23km away – some suffering more than others.
Many trekkers took the opportunity of a shower before a dinner of chicken and vegetables. We sat briefly around the campfire with drinks before heading to bed and a restful if somewhat warm sleep.

Journal - Day 3

2007-11-15T21:30:00.000Z

Tuesday 9th October
Breakfast this morning in the Safari hotel in Nairobi was freshly prepared omelette with peppers, onions and chillies, followed by fruit platter. After our vehicles arrived we loaded and finally made our torturous exit from the smog of the city and the journey to the border passed without incident until...my water bottle. Belting down the highway we hit a bump, the door swinging open sending the poor aluminium Sigg bottle out and onto the ground, it was retrieved, some serious injuries had been sustained but integrity remained intact and the bottle lives on.
We reached the border at Nwange after a short pit stop and proceeded through border controls with little fuss. After reaching Longido Township we received news that our transport was unable to make the final 4.5km and we would proceed on foot. This caused some concern to our tour leader but everyone was happy to be out of the busses and took to the path without complaint. In fact the 4.5km turned into less than 2km and we were greeted by a cool flannel, glass of mango juice and a fully struck camp.
Lunch of breaded fish with potato and vegetables was served and gratefully consumed after which we received our camp talk and met our staff for the next 5 days.
We then finally set off on our first trekking of the trip – to a Maasai ‘boma’, where we were welcomed by the residents and spent some time inside the ‘manyattas’ and chatting with the children who were all very friendly if a little pushy when it came to photographs.

We finally wrenched ourselves away, stopping at the improvised market place to make several purchases of jewellery and goods – all beautifully made.
We returned to camp learning about the local area on the way from our guide Samuel – a very well educated Maasai elder.
After washing and pre-dinner drinks we sat down to a meal of mushroom soup followed by beef stew with rice. This was capped off by drinks around the fire with Rogarty on the guitar giving us a rendition of local Swahili songs and Bob Marley classics...only in Africa.

Journal - Part 2

2007-11-14T12:23:00.000Z

Monday 8th October
Somehow, I am sitting in suite number 918 of the Safari Club Hotel – Nairobi’s only all-suite hotel…it feels very uncomfortable.
The contrasts today have been stark and have now been made all the more apparent by us rolling into the forecourt of the hotel at 9pm to be greeted by bellboys, concierge and a restaurant serving ostrich steak and crocodile medallions.
We began this morning with a breakfast of traditional simple African fare before setting off for our first project visit of the day – the Community Water Project in Ntuka where a pipeline covering some 42 kilometres has been established to transport water into the Maasai communities.

The people we spoke with were very warm and welcoming although the children were naturally very nervous of 20+ white people wielding cameras and asking questions. We gained their trust and they soon became relaxed – laughing and joking while we explored a traditional homestead or ‘boma’, only a few metres from the new water kiosk – the women no longer having to walk up to 20km a day for water. This in turn meant the children were now able to attend school and gain an education.

On reaching the school we were greeted by song and dance from the children – all kitted out in very smart uniforms from the youngest of about 4 up to 16 and 17 year olds. We toured the classrooms – both old and new and looked through school books where the children were learning subjects such as astronomy, nutrition, crop rotation, diseases and vaccinations and many others.
After this we were treated to a special dance by several members of the school which involved participation from several of our party. We distributed t-shirts that had been designed by children in the UK and then subjected the school to a rendition of ‘head, shoulders knees and toes’, they were not overly impressed.
After lunch on the move, we travelled to the final stop of our visit – the Intake and irrigation furrows that have provided the water for these communities and many others. The simple system merely channels the little water there is into a furrow for irrigation then into the pipeline that stretches across the plains and serves over 5,000 people and 18,000 animals – without the use of pumps. Something very basic and simple, but of such importance to the community, which has now taken over control of maintaining it.
We then set off for our trip back to Nairobi via Narok – a journey of some 6 hours the first parts of which afforded us glimpses of much wildlife – zebra, wildebeest, Thompson’s gazelle, impala, dik-dik, ostrich, secretary birds and baboons as well as many beautiful birds such as bee eaters and kites.
We eventually rolled into Nairobi and the palatial surroundings we now find ourselves in and sat straight down to a dinner of goat stew (the most basic and traditional thing I could find on the menu) whilst waiting for the second bus which it seems had turned up at a different safari hotel on the other side of town.
Despite the best efforts of the hotel staff to persuade us otherwise – a few ventured to a bar around the corner for a couple of drinks before retiring for the night.

Journal of a Trekker - Part 1

2007-11-13T15:49:00.000Z

Well it's taken a while...but here is the first installment of my Africa Trek Journal. The rest will be published (with more photos) over the coming days.

Footsteps of the Maasai Trek, 7-16 October 2007

“Join Maasai tribesmen and seek out your nomadic origins as you take on this majestic bush trek through Africa’s most beautiful region – the Rift Valley. Trek through a landscape of acacia trees, savannah grasslands and volcanoes, passing antelopes, zebras, giraffes and traditional Maasai villages – this is the cradle of mankind”

So said the blurb before we left and what a bush trek it was.

Thanks to your support, my total raised at the end of October stood at £3,293.15. By the end of our trek, the group of 23 as a whole had raised an astonishing £92,000 between us for ActionAid – thankyou.

Sunday 7th October
We are now just over 1 hour from landing in Nairobi to start our ‘challenge of a lifetime’ – events so far having been non-eventful (no traffic on the M25, very quick check in, emotional good byes to the girls, successful meet and greet with fellow passengers and about 2 hours sleep (disturbed). Soon reality will kick in as we are whisked straight from the airport to Narok some 2 hours away and a project visit this afternoon.

An entertaining drive from Nairobi threw up the usual standard of African roads with deviations aplenty and the opportunity to choose which side of the road to drive with regular occurrence. Passing through several villages threw up the hoped for collection of entertaining shop names – of note the Destiny Hotel, butcherys aplenty and what appeared to be the Kenyan equivalent of Weatherspoons – chain of ‘Honey Pot’ pubs – worth a visit? Having left Nairobi in drizzle and mist it was a delight when our route took us past a vantage point giving us views stretching for miles across the Rift Valley – so impressive in fact that astute budding businessmen had set up stalls with goods for sale while you took in the beauty of the ‘3rd World View’…we didn’t stop.

After a brief snooze we headed out to our project visit – Oloontoto Dining Hall at a boarding school some 20kms outside of Narok that serves approximately 500 children (200 of whom are boarders). ActionAid money has helped build a large new kitchen and dining area that now serves as a meeting hall for the whole community as well as a place for the children to eat together indoors. We were shown around the school by the obviously proud head teacher then treated to some wonderful singing and dancing in the hall from groups of both boys and girls. Afterwards as we made our way through the grounds we each received our mob of children who were intent on getting into every photo – 1 or 2 taking particular interest in my hat and sunglasses, another obtaining my ActionAid ID badges and now answering to name of Andrew. We visited their classrooms – brick buildings with desks and blackboards as usual, where I showed them some postcards of London I had brought with me – gone within 5 seconds flat.

Eventually we climbed aboard our buses, waved goodbyes and drove off in a cloud of dust much to the children’s obvious disappointment. We headed back to the hotel stopping briefly for the zebra (and gazelle) crossing.
The children at Oloontoto School

After a quick change of clothes and a drink in the hotel bar, 3 of us took a wander into downtown Narok to see the locals. We found the best policy to be to walk in the middle of the road to avoid cars and trucks using the supposed pavement. The many “Jambos” on the way were followed by inevitable requests for money or pens – not aggressive or pleading – and we found a polite “Habana” (No) would suffice. We ventured into Harry’s bar – a seemingly small cosy tavern from the outside that turned out to be more a German beer hall arrangement without the waitresses but with the hanging meat. We had a quick beer for which we decided on the price then returned to our hotel for ice-breaking games followed by dinner then a drink in the bar before bed – it was gone 9pm after all.

I'm Back!

2007-10-16T13:04:00.000+01:00

I have returned!
I am happy to report that our group of 25 successfully completed the trek covering a distance of some 90km and so far raising an amazing £92,000 for ActionAid projects around the world.
Over the coming days I shall be posting photos and reports on an amazing experience, in the meantime, the fundraising continues in order to add to the growing total.

Andrew

In Nairobi

2007-10-09T06:04:00.001+01:00

Greetings from Kenya.

I am housed inside the business centre of the Safari Club hotel in Nairobi after a short stop on our way to Tanzania.
We have spent the last 2 days visiting ActionAid sponsored projects such as schools and community water projects around the town of Narok - actually seeing the money you have donated in action. It has proved a very rewarding part of the trip giving a real insight into the work of ActionAid on the ground and the reception we have received everywhere has been warm and welcoming.

Today we leave for the bus ride to the border then on into Tanzania and our first camp stop - this afternoon we have a short trek to acclimitise then begin our journeying in earnest tomorrow from the town of Longido.

Best wishes
Andrew

2 Days To Go!

2007-10-04T13:47:00.000+01:00

This will be the final post before I leave for Africa in only 2 days time!

A massive thankyou to everyone that has sponsored me to help me reach my target already.

After all the build up and anticipation, the fundraising and emails, I am now all set to make the trip on Saturday afternoon to the queues of Heathrow Airport Terminal 3.
After that is taken care of I will be off and away on my flight to Nairobi. We arrive early Sunday morning. From there we travel to the village of Narok to visit an ActionAid project at work, then into Tanzania to prepare for our trek. We spend about 6 days in the Rift Valley trekking with the Maasai people before finishing at the Ngorongoro Crater with a half day of safari. We then head to Kilimanjaro airport for our flight home via Nairobi.
See you when I get back!

Andrew

Target up!

2007-09-18T11:23:00.000+01:00

Ding, ding, ding, ding

The bell sounds as my fundraising crashes through my £3000 sponsorship target. A big big thankyou to everyone who has helped me raise the funds for my trip - please continue to sponsor me though - the more money I can donate to ActionAid the better.
A special mention goes to Mark, Kate and Ellis who pushed me through the target barrier.

In other news, it is now only 18 days until I leave for Africa and last night I suffered a small scare when I was knocked off my bike by a car which chose not to stop at a junction - no major damage just a few cuts and bruises but a buckled front wheel has curtailed my training for the time being.

Apart from that - all is good and preparations are almost complete.

Thanks again
Andrew

1 month and counting...yikes!

2007-09-06T13:27:00.001+01:00

It is now exactly 30 days until I set off for Africa...now it seems close!

This week I subjected myself to the trauma of vaccination - Typhoid and Yellow Fever (£45 a pop) plus perscriptions for the anti-malarial favourites - hallucination-inducing larium (£25).

This is all proving to be quite expensive!

Anyway - the training is going well, now just need to push along with the last few hundred pounds to my target (click above) and I'll be ready...maybe.

Update next week

Andrew

5 weeks to go

2007-08-30T14:57:00.000+01:00

And so the date draws nearer.

It is now only 5 weeks on Saturday until I leave these shores, hop on a plane and go trekking across a desert.
I am now on the final push for my fundraising, if you haven't sponsored me so far, please please do add your name to the page by following the link above.

So, logistics wise - I now have my Tanzanian Visa safely implanted into my passport and today realised the need to check up on my immunisation status before I leave.
Training has been stepped up with the purchase of a new road bike enabling me to get some miles under my belt along with regular treks around the park at lunchtime of course!

It now looks increasingly likely that the Charity Auction will take place after my return from Africa as dates and times are running out fast - please watch this space for details.

Again, thanks to all for your support
Bye for now
Andrew

A year on!

2007-08-16T10:44:00.001+01:00

One year ago I announced my intention to take part in a Charity Challenge to 'celebrate' the passing of my 30th Birthday. Tomorrow is my 31st birthday and I am happy to report that I am now in the final stages of my fundraising for my trip to Kenya and Tanzania leaving in 50 days time!

My current total stands at a fantastic £2693.15 after some much appreciated hard work and effort from friends and family. Thankyou all.

I am now on the final push to my £3000 target (and beyond if possible) so please, if you are still contemplating sponsoring me then follow the link at the top of the page and add your name, quite literally, every pound counts.

I still have plans for the Charity Auction that was postponed from July and I am looking into alternative venues and dates for this to take place in the Autumn. Please watch this space.

In the meantime, thanks again

Kind Regards
Andrew

Money & Visas

2007-07-27T16:03:00.000+01:00

Today (Friday 27th July) is a significant date in the build up for my trek.

It is now only 71 days (10 weeks) until I leave for Africa and today saw my first commitment of 80% of my funding (£2400) due to be paid to ActionAid. This has now been completed.
The second was my payment of £38 for my Tanzanian Tourist Visa which I completed today.
Soon, will be vaccination time!

Andrew

Coffee!

2007-07-27T16:01:00.001+01:00

A big belated thankyou to Dennis & Eileen White who (with the help of others) ran a very successful Coffee Morning last Saturday at the Baptist Church in Saffron Walden. They raised a magnificent £146 for my fund....thankyou very much indeed.

Yummy!

2007-07-16T09:59:00.001+01:00

Hello
A big thankyou to everyone that baked and prepared cakes for my stall on Saturday - the event was a great success. All items sold and contributed towards a healthy £110 to boost my fund.
Next up is a coffee morning being held this coming Saturday from 10am - 12pm at the Baptist Church in Saffron Walden. There will be more information about my trek for you to view as well - see you there.

Many thanks

Andrew

Cakes Tomorrow!

2007-07-13T10:12:00.000+01:00

Just a reminder that tomorrow (Saturday) I will be holding a cake stall in Saffron Walden Market Square to raise more funds for the cause. I have had several offers of donations for homemade goodies (more welcome) so please do pop along and sample some of the delights on offer.
We shall be open from 10am just outside Boots the Chemist, click here for a map.

In the meantime, I can now report my current total stands at a splendid £2190. Thanks to all.

Andrew

Up Next

2007-06-26T11:34:00.000+01:00

Hi everyone,

After the success of the art exhibition and in particular the homemade cakes and biscuits I am now organising my next fundraising event.

I have booked a space for a stall on Saturday 14th July in Saffron Walden Market Square where I will be selling cakes, sweets and other delicious goodies. In addition, I hope to be preparing some special African favourites for sale as well.

If you are able to help out by either providing some cakes or biscuits or sparing an hour to man the stall with me then please do get in touch.

In the meantime I am very happy to announce that recent donations have boosted my current total close to the £2000 mark meaning I am very nearly two-thirds of the way to my target - thankyou to all.

Bye for now
Andrew

A Great Success

2007-06-11T14:50:00.000+01:00

Well,
Thanks to everyone who exhibited, helped and visited us at the Art Exhibtion over Friday and Saturday. Also those that provided some delicious home-made cakes for sale. The total raised on entry fees, refreshments and commissions on sales was approximately £340 along with a number of other separate donations as well.

I hope everyone enjoyed what was a very successful event - look out for the next fundraising activity coming soon!

Andrew

Countdown to the Exhibition

2007-06-06T10:06:00.000+01:00

Find Us Here

It's only 1 day till the Art Exhibition so here's a little taster of what you can expect:

Artist List (Updated):

Lizzie Mullin: Lizzie’s photographs were taken in various locations around East Anglia. Last year she decided to share her pictures and produced a 2007 calendar of North Norfolk Sunsets – an instant hit. She now produces greeting cards, and is looking to widen her portfolio with jigsaws, place mats etc as well as a coffee table book of local sights
Rachel Glibbery: Rachel grew up in Essex and studied fine art at college. Her collection was inspired by a painting for her daughter who is deeply into magical fairies and princesses. From that came more princesses, fairies and wizards set in magical fairy tale lands!
She uses acrylic on box canvas with glitter and sequins – and some magic fairy dust!
Rachel lives in Saffron Walden with her husband and three children
Clarissa Cochran: Clarissa has taught painting and drawing for many years in Community Education programmes including at Highpoint Prison. Although now mainly a textile artist she also likes to work in pastels and other media.
She lives in Radwinter and is Secretary of the Essex Craft Society
Veronica Shaw: Veronica paints figurative, abstract and portraits in oil on both canvas and board. Her work is sold through a number provincial galleries as well as in London. She currently teaches art on a one to one basis from her studio on a farm in Hertfordshire
Jane Buch: Jane has had an affinity with drawing for as long as she can remember, having always been drawn to compositions full of vibrant colour. She uses a mixture of pastel watercolour and acrylic to create simplistic yet imposing pieces. Her work is displayed in a number of local galleries. Jane lives in Manuden.
Anne Cardwell: Anne produces mosaics of one off contemporary designs for architectural, community and home settings. She also runs a Mosaic Workshop at her home in Saffron Walden with Gill Howe where participants can produce their own pieces of art.
Gill Howe: Gill has been working with Mosaics since 2002, being formerly a painter. She was drawn to mosaics whilst working on a mural in the Ukraine. Gill is a member of BAMM and along with Anne Cardwell runs Mosaic Workshops in Saffron Walden
Denise SelfDenise studied Art at St Martin’s in London before completing a 3 year foundation course in Textiles at the Hammersmith School of Art. After spending many years abroad she now paints watercolours, her preference being for Portraiture. She lives in Great Chesterford
Tony WhiteTony’s work is informed by natural forms and characteristically comprises spatial arrangements of colour and shape. He has held a number of successful solo exhibitions in the region and in 2006 was the featured artist for the summer exhibition at the Darryl Nantais gallery in Linton. Tony’s work has been commissioned for private collections, books and magazine covers and can be found throughout the world. He will be participating in the Cambridge Open Studios in July and is based in Newport.
Margaret Hammond Margaret produces framed and unframed paintings and cards of flowers, landscapes and still life in a variety of media, attempting to capture some impression of light. She lives in Saffron Walden and is Chairman of the Saffron Walden Art Society
Katy Ellis Katy graduated with an honours degree in Fine Art Painting from Glasgow School of Art in 1996. She then explored and studied during 2 extensive years of travel. Since then Katy has used her source work to create a series of evocative, richly painted, many layered watercolours of a range of subjects. She has shown her work widely throughout England, Ireland, France and America and now lives in Saffron Walden
Elenor PeckEllie studied fashion at Winchester School of Art and worked as a textile designer in London. She has been painting with acrylic on canvas for a few years and likes working with natural forms having been influenced by the time she spent teaching in the Caribbean. This has given her a particular interest in light and shade and the use of tropical subject matter. Ellie now works in Special Needs in a local school
Julie Weston Julie’s work is inspired by nature. She graduated from University having studied a course in illustration. Her interests in textiles and trying out new skills have led to her specialism of collage whilst her strengths are based on textures and colours. Julie has been inspired to exhibit at the Baptist Church as she feels the money raised is going to a good cause…Amen!
Kay Dumps Kay has been painting for a number of years and is self taught through having attended a number of adult education art classes in Dorset. Her work is oil on canvas and she lives both in Saffron Walden and Dorchester
Elizabeth Simmons Liz currently lives in Dorset and is self taught. Her ‘suncatchers’ are designed to reflect light and form and are made from leaded glass that can hang inside or out

In addition, there will be an ActionAid Information Stand displaying details and photos about the charity and the trek I am funding.
We will also be serving teas, coffees and soft drinks as well as homemade cakes and biscuits - all for a small donation.

Finally, a big thankyou to Yvonne and Trevor at Etymon Print & Packaging who are sponsoring the exhibition, you can check out their website here

I look forward to seeing you there.
Andrew

Postponed! :o(

2007-05-22T10:27:00.000+01:00

Unfortunately - due to a number of circumstances I have had to make the difficult decision to postpone the Wine Tour, Dinner and Charity Auction at Chilford Hall. I was unable to guarantee numbers in order to pay for the event in advance.

However, as I have already received a large number of generous donations for auction I will be rearranging this in some form later in the summer/early autumn to round of my fundraising.

In the meantime, I am concentrating my efforts on the forthcoming Art Exhibition which promises to be a successful and enjoyable event. Further details to follow soon.

Thanks
Andrew H

Prizes Galore

2007-05-03T11:44:00.000+01:00

Just to update you all on current activities.

Art Exhibition
We now have approximately 12 local artists confirmed for the art exhibition at the Baptist Church on 8th and 9th June. They will be exhibiting and selling a variety of work including Paintings, Photographs, Mosaics and Textiles. Entry is only £1 on both days.

Charity Auction
I am now able to offer Company Table sponsorship deals for the Wine Tour, Dinner and Auction on Saturday 14th July at Chilford Hall in Linton. For a total package of £350 your company can entertain up to 10 guests and be included on promotional material for the event. A £100 deposit will secure your individual table, please contact me directly for more details.

In addition, I can confirm some of the prize donations already received for the auction as follows:

Prize (Guide Value)
Admission for 5 adults to Duxford War Museum (£75)
Family Ticket for Mole Hall Wildlife Park (£20)
Courtesy 2-ball Round at SW Golf Club (£50)
1 Hour Family Lesson with Mike's Tennis Academy (£40)
2 Days on Tennis Holiday Camp with Mike's Tennis Academy (£60)
3-Course Sunday Lunch at Duxford Lodge Hotel (£40)
Manicure & Varnish at Lizzie's Health & Beauty (£45)
Night in Bridal Suite at Crown House Hotel (£300)

Many thanks to our donors already confirmed. Many more lots to follow soon.

Andrew

Du Vin?

2007-04-24T13:24:00.000+01:00

The second of my exciting fundraising 'double-header' is the forthcoming Wine Tour, Dinner and Charity Auction taking place on Saturday 14th July at Chilford Hall, Linton.
We already have a superb collection of lots for the auction including meals at local restaraunts, entry to local attractions, round of gold, cookery lessons and even a night in the bridal suite of a local hotel.
Tickets are limited so please get yours now!
More details below:

All things Arty

2007-04-24T10:10:00.000+01:00

More details below of the Art Exhibition I am holding in June to raise more funds.

Dates are Friday 8th/Saturday 9th June, 10-5 each day. Entry to the public is only £1.

Viewing and sales throughout the 2-days.

If you are an artist interested in exhibiting some work, please get in touch as I have just a few spaces left.

The Results and More Events

2007-04-10T09:40:00.000+01:00

Apologies first of all for the slight delay in updating the blog. Last week was rather hectic.

Anyway, first off, the quiz night was a great success thanks to everyone who came along and congratulations once again to the winning team. The final amount is still to be confirmed but it looks like I managed to raise approximately £60 from the evening which is great, thanks again.

Next, those of you at the quiz will have heard me mention 2 very special events coming up in the summer - I can now confirm more details.

The first of these will be a 2-day Art Exhibition at Saffron Walden Baptist Church on Friday 8th and Saturday 9th June. Entry to the public will only be £1 and there will be a mixture of work to view and buy (I will be taking a commission on sales) over the 2 days. More information will be released in due course (opening times etc). But in the meantime if anymore artists would be interested in exhbiting work then please get in touch via my contact details.

Finally for now, I can announce a very special Wine Tour/Tasting, Dinner and Charity Auction evening at Chilford Hall Estate on Saturday 14th July. Prices are to be confirmed and more details will be available very soon but in general terms the evening will involve small group tours of the vineyard and wine tasting sessions followed by a 2-course meal and culminating in a charity auction for which I already have some superb lots. Again, please spread the word and contact me for more details.

Bye for now
Andrew

As a little PS, for those of you concerned about my recent lack of footwear, fear not (hopefully). I am currently testing out at home the Valles eVent Walking Boot by Technicals - so far so good.

Quiz Night Reminder

2007-03-19T11:26:00.000Z

Hi All

Just a quick reminder about the Quiz Night I am hosting on Saturday 31st March at Great Chesterford Community Centre to raise funds for my charity trek in October

We need a few more teams to make the evening a success so if you are able to come along (even if you don't have enough for a team of 4-6) please let me know.
Also, if you know anyone that might be interested in joining us please persuade them as well!

Cost of entry is a mere £2 per person, and we start at 7:30pm.

Please also bring any drinks/snacks for your teams with you as well.

Click on the link below for a map to the venue
Location

Thanks in advance

Andrew

Making an exhibition

2007-03-15T10:32:00.000Z

With the countdown clock for my fundraising now ticking I have begun my planning for the summers events.
In the very early stages of organisation is an art exhibition in Saffron Walden at the beginning of June. If you would be interested in exhibiting (for a small donation and small % commission of sales) please get in touch. More details will be posted here soon.

Andrew

Getting all the cash

2007-03-07T16:42:00.000Z

Good news

ActionAid have finally sorted themselves out and have set up their own online sponsorship site. This means that any donations received are sent straight to charity without a third party taking their slice.
I have followed suit and set up a new sponsorship page which I will use to replace my JustGiving site.
Please follow this link to view my brand spanking new sponsorship page

Thankyou
Andrew

Preparation?

2007-03-07T12:46:00.000Z

I survived.
I have returned from a very enjoyable if somewhat soggy weekend in the Chilterns training for October.
I arrived in Henley-on-Thames at 8am on Saturday morning greeted by blue skies and sunshine and met my fellow intrepid walkers at the pre-arranged spot. There I met 2 other members of my forthcoming trip - Christine and Mike, along with ActionAid staff members Chris, Jenny and Helen, our guides Terry and Paul and a number of other travellers booked on alternative treks.

Saturday's walk followed a circular route from Henley and took in the villages of Hambledon and Assendon in very pleasant conditions. Although there was some conflict between pedometer and GPS we travelled approximately 14miles in total before spending the evening at our accomodation - the Youth Hostel in nearby Streatley.

Sunday morning was less inviting and after a short drive to our starting point at Christmas Common, the rain began to fall, the winds picked up and we were provided with a day of difficult conditions in which to conduct our walk.
Again we followed a circular route this time covering approximately 11 miles through the villages of Stoner and Turville before finally returning to the Fox and Hounds PH at Christmas Common and a welcoming ale.

Whether the conditions provided suitable training for trekking in 45+oC heat in the Rift Valley remains to be seen. Nevertheless, an enjoyable time was had.

And the boots are now to be retired off as well

Andrew

Ideal Preparation

2007-03-02T10:30:00.000Z

Well, tomorrow I am off on my first traning weekend for my trek in October. The idea is to get and idea of my fitness level and get some form of preparation undertaken for the big one.
Having seen the weather forecast for Sunday, I have a feeling the conditions could not be further from that which I will see in Kenya in 7 months time - nevertheless, I am looking forward to it.

As well as the 2 days of trekking around the Chiltern hills in the rain there will be the opportunity to meet fellow trip members and also to learn a bit more about the work ActionAid does around the world.

You may recall I was in desperate need for new footwear for the trip - I didn't manage to get any! I have decided to stick with my trusty Salomons for the weekend before retiring them to the great big outdoor clothing graveyard in the sky.

I shall report back on Monday!

Andrew

I ask the questions

2007-02-19T21:19:00.000Z

Well finally, after much debate I have booked up my first fundraising event of 2007.

I will be hosting a Quiz Night on Saturday 31st March at Great Chesterford Community Centre. Details of times/entry fee etc etc will be announced soon.

If you would like to join us, please just drop me a mail - teams of 4 to 6 or individuals are welcome to join a team on the night.

More soon

Andrew

On the bike

2007-01-22T21:27:00.000Z

A big THANKYOU to everyone who has sponsored me so far. I can't believe I'm already over a quarter of the way towards my target. And I haven't even done any daft events yet!

It's been a pretty hectic few months what with the Freya's sudden arrival then the fun of Christmas but my mind has now turned to the dual effort of raising some reddies and getting myself into some kind of shape to trek across the desert for 7 days in 8 months time...yikes!

Speaking of which, in a few weeks time I will be able to gauge my level when I attend a training weekend in the Chilterns for which I am in desperate need of some new footwear. I was encouraged last week by the fact I managed to cycle from Harlow to Quendon with little difficulty when the trains were cancelled, a distance of about 17 miles. Hurrah, not quite as unfit as first feared!

If only I could take my mountain bike to the Serengeti!

Just a click away...

2006-12-15T12:30:00.000Z

Thanks for taking the time to point your browser to my blog.

Please read on and when you are done take a trip to my sponsorship page

http://www.justgiving.com/Andrewmaasaitrek

Many thanks

Andrew H

Apologies are due!

2006-12-05T12:56:00.000Z

First off all, I have to apologise for my lack of communications over the past 2! months!

As you may have read in my profile , we were expecting out second child at the end of November...she turned up early!

Freya Mae was born on 23rd October weighing 4lb 1.5oz. Inevitably, this has taken up much of the time of an intrepid traveller/fundraiser and efforts have somewhat been left behind for a short while. However, with the festive season fast approaching (20 days remain!) plans and events will begin again in earnest. So, what have I been doing?
Well, here is just a few of the fundraising events I have planned for early 2007:

Auction, Quiz Night, Film Night, Activity Day at Outdoor Centre, Dinner/Dance, Car Boot Sale, African Meal, 'Colour Day', Trivia Challenge, Fetes/Fair Stalls, Wine/Cheese Tasting etc etc.

If anyone has any 'relatively' wacky ideas they feel I should partake in then please feel free to let me know.

Bye for now and have a great Christmas!

Andrew

1 Year To Go!

2006-10-06T16:08:00.000+01:00

The countdown has begun.

It is exactly 12 months until I set out on my challenge in the heart of East Africa. Until today October 2007 has seemed a long long way away. Now the hard work starts!

Fundraising begins this weekend, many people have already contributed and I am already well on the way to my minimum target, there is still much to do though.

Watch this space..

Andrew

Every Pound Counts

2006-09-14T14:55:00.000+01:00

I thought I would post a few facts and figures from the ActionAid website about where all this money being pledges actually goes. I find it quite heartening to actually see in black and white how each and every pound has such an impact on peoples lives:

£7 could buy the books a child in Ethiopia needs to start school.
£10 could buy hoes, buckets and a seed pack for a family in Zimbabwe to grown their own food.
£15 could train two local people in basic healthcare in Mozambique.
£20 could send a child to school for two years in Rwanda.
£42 could provide six people with safe, clean water in Mozambique.

So there it is, not a lot really is it!?

Bye for now

Please add your name!

2006-08-31T15:46:00.000+01:00

Having been accepted onto my chosen challenge - next October in Tanzania, I have now set up my very own sponsorhip page through Just Giving. This can be found at http://www.justgiving.com/Andrewmaasaitrek and provides an easy and secure way for people to help me towards my fundraising target of £3000.
I am extremely grateful to all those who have already committed sponsorship for my challenge.

I will be organising a number of innovative and entertaining events over the coming months in order to raise the funds required, in the meantime if anyone has any (relatively sensible) ideas, please pass them on!

Many thanks

Confirmation

2006-08-18T14:45:00.000+01:00

Hurrah,

I am delighted to report that as of today I have been officially accepted onto the 'Footsteps of the Maasai' trek supporting ActionAid. This 10 day challenge will 'take me to remote and rarely visited areas of the stunning Rift Valley in Tanzania...' as well as the opportunity to visit some of ActionAid's work in neighbouring Kenya.
I have given myself plenty of time to raise the minimum £3000 sponsorship target, the trip takes place in October 2007! But rest assured you will be kept up to date with my progress thoughout the coming 14 months.
Further information on the trek can be found at http://www.actionaid.org.uk/index.asp?page_id=1214 and I will in due course be setting up an Internet Sponsor Page where you can donate easily should you wish.

Until then, let the funds begin!

Andrew

Birthday Wishes

2006-08-17T09:30:00.000+01:00

Well, today I am officially 'old'
I have reached my 30th birthday without too many problems, here's where the aches and pains kick in no doubt. Last night I spent the final evening of my 20's drinking whisky and listening to 7" vinyl from my youth. I was able to lose myself (for a short period at least), in the sounds of The Cure, Senseless Things, Kingmaker, The Frank & Walters, Mambo Taxi, Carter USM and others. Now, it's time to grow up....

So, I am still waiting impatiently by the letterbox for my confirmation of a place on my chosen trip. Until then I am reluctant to release the details to the www. I can say however that I have applied for a trek in Africa some time next year.

More will (I promise) follow soon

Andrew H (now 30!)

Is there a place?

2006-08-05T14:07:00.000+01:00

Today I have sent off my application for my place on an adventure challenge. I will keep details under wraps until I have confirmation of my place but I have applied to join a trek organised in support of ActionAid as mentioned previously. Fingers crossed, I will be accepted on the trip and sponsorship/fundraising can begin in earnest. Watch this space.

Andrew

A vision is launched

2006-07-31T13:38:00.000+01:00

In 17 days time I will be 'celebrating' my 30th birthday. Rather than produce the usual 'wish list' of present ideas for friends and family I felt a need to do things a little differently this time.
After much thought and reflection on a suitable way to mark the occasion I settled on a way to enjoy my milestone whilst putting aside material desires and do something a little more worthwhile.

It is for this reason that I have decided to enroll on a fundraising sponsored expedition to support my chosen charity. Although I have yet to register (I am still investigating possible options), it is likely that I will apply for one of the trips run by Action Aid http://www.actionaid.org.uk

This is a charity that we have supported for many years through it's child sponsorship scheme and one of the causes that I feel very stongly about.

Over the coming weeks I hope to settle on a suitable trip and confirm my place, all of which shall be recorded in these pages. In addition, I will of course be looking for sponsorship for my trip, details of which will also be posted here.

If you would be interested in supporting me on this venture I would be grateful to receive your comments.

Please check back reguarly for updates.

Many thanks
Andrew